EP2327400A2 - Retinoid-Ersatz und Opsin-Agonisten und Anwendungsverfahren dafür - Google Patents

Retinoid-Ersatz und Opsin-Agonisten und Anwendungsverfahren dafür Download PDF

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EP2327400A2
EP2327400A2 EP11154402A EP11154402A EP2327400A2 EP 2327400 A2 EP2327400 A2 EP 2327400A2 EP 11154402 A EP11154402 A EP 11154402A EP 11154402 A EP11154402 A EP 11154402A EP 2327400 A2 EP2327400 A2 EP 2327400A2
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cis
retinal
synthetic retinoid
eye
retinoid
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French (fr)
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EP2327400A3 (de
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Krzysztof Palczewski
David A. Saperstein
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University of Washington
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University of Washington
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/11Aldehydes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/045Hydroxy compounds, e.g. alcohols; Salts thereof, e.g. alcoholates
    • A61K31/07Retinol compounds, e.g. vitamin A
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/38Heterocyclic compounds having sulfur as a ring hetero atom
    • A61K31/382Heterocyclic compounds having sulfur as a ring hetero atom having six-membered rings, e.g. thioxanthenes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/395Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
    • A61K31/435Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/695Silicon compounds
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • A61K38/16Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K38/17Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • A61K38/1703Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
    • A61K38/1709Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/0048Eye, e.g. artificial tears
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61PSPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P27/00Drugs for disorders of the senses
    • A61P27/02Ophthalmic agents
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61PSPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P27/00Drugs for disorders of the senses
    • A61P27/02Ophthalmic agents
    • A61P27/10Ophthalmic agents for accommodation disorders, e.g. myopia

Definitions

  • a diminished visual acuity or total loss of vision may result from a number of eye diseases or disorders caused by dysfunction of tissues or structures in the anterior region of the eye and/or posterior region of the eye.
  • the eye is divided anatomically into an anterior and posterior segment.
  • the anterior segment includes the cornea, anterior chamber, iris and ciliary body (anterior choroid), posterior chamber and crystalline lens.
  • the posterior segment includes the retina with optic nerve, choroid (posterior choroid) and vitreous.
  • the posterior portion of the eyeball supports the retina, choroid and associated tissues.
  • AMD Age related macular degeneration
  • the macula is the area which enables one to discern small details and to read or drive, its deterioration may bring about diminished visual acuity and even and to read or drive, its deterioration may bring about diminished visual acuity and even blindness.
  • the retina contains two forms of light receiving cells, rods and cones, that change light into electrical signals. The brain then converts these signals into the images.
  • the macula is rich in cone cells, which provides central vision. People with AMD suffer deterioration of central vision but usually retain peripheral sight.
  • the "dry” (non-exudative) type accounts for about 90% of AMD cases.
  • the “wet” (exudative) form afflicts only about 10% of AMD patients.
  • the wet form is a more serious disease than the dry form and is responsible for about 90% of the instances of profound visual loss resulting from the disease.
  • Wet AMD often starts abruptly with the development of tiny, abnormal, leaky blood vessels termed CNVs (chorodial new vessels), directly under the macula. In most patients, this leads to scarring and severe central vision loss, including distortion, blind spots, and functional blindness.
  • CNVs chorodial new vessels
  • Drusen look like specks of yellowish material under the retina. They are deposits of extracellular material that accumulate between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's Membrane.
  • RPE retinal pigment epithelium
  • Bruch's Membrane is a specialized cell layer that ingests used-up outer tips of the rod and cone cells and provides them with essential nutrients (e.g. , vitamin A derivatives).
  • Bruch's membrane is a noncellular structure (composed mostly of collagen) that separates the RPE from the choroidal circulation below. The choroidal circulation provides blood supply to the rods, cones and RPE cells.
  • Two networks of blood vessels nourish the retina, one located on the retinal surface and the other located deep in the retina, external to Bruch's membrane.
  • the abnormal vessels of AMD originate in the lower network of vessels, called the choroidal circulation. These vessels make their way through Bruch's membrane and spread out under the RPE. Blood and fluids leak from them and cause the photoreceptor cells to degenerate and the macula to detach from the cells under it.
  • Slightly blurred or distorted vision is the most common early symptom of AMD.
  • Visual loss with dry AMD usually progresses slowly while visual loss with wet AMD proceeds more rapidly and may occur over days or weeks.
  • Patients who have wet AMD in one eye are at increased risk of developing CNVs in the other eye.
  • the magnitude of the risk varies, depending on the appearance of the second eye. The risk is greater in eyes with numerous large drusen, with abnormal pigment changes in the macula, and in patients with a history of high blood pressure.
  • AMD AMD is now the leading cause of legal blindness in the western world. Reactions that go on in the RPE lead to oxidative products that in turn lead to cell death and neovascularization. This excess metabolism leads to the formation of drusen under the RPE.
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa represents disease caused by defects in many different genes. They all have a final common pathway of night blindness and peripheral vision loss that can lead to narrowing of the visual field and eventual loss of all vision in many patients.
  • the rod photoreceptors are usually primarily affected and most of the gene defects leading to the disease occur in genes that are expressed predominantly or only in the rod cells.
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa One autosomal dominant form of Retinitis Pigmentosa comprises an amino acid substitution in opsin, a proline to histidine substitution at amino acid 23. This defect compromises 10-20% of all Retinitis Pigmentosa cases. This abnormal opsin protein forms a protein aggregate that eventually leads to cell death.
  • Leber Congenital Amaurosis is a very rare childhood condition that affects children from birth or shortly there after. It affects both rods and cones. There are a few different gene defects that have been associated with the disease. These include the genes encoding the RP65 and LEAT proteins. Both result in a person's inability to make 11- cis- retinal in adequate quantities. In the RP65 defective individuals, retinyl esters build up in the RPE. LRAT-defective individuals are unable to make esters and subsequently secrete any excess retinoids.
  • Retinitis Punctata Albesciens is another form of Retinitis Pigmentosa that exhibits a shortage of 11- cis -retinal in the rods. Aging also leads to the decrease in night vision and loss of contrast sensitivity due to a shorting of 11- cis -retinal. Excess unbound opsin is believed to randomly excite the visual transduction system. This can create noise in the system, and thus more light and more contrast is necessary to see well.
  • Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) and Fundus Albipunctatus are a group of diseases that are manifested as night blindness, but there is not a progressive loss of vision as in the Retinitis Pigmentosa. Some forms of CSNB are due to a delay in the recycling of 11- cis -retinal. Fundus Albipunctatus until recently was thought to be a special case of CSNB where the retinal appearance is abnormal with hundreds of small white dots appearing in the retina. It has been shown recently that this is also a progressive disease although much slower than Retinitis Pigmentosa. It is caused by a gene defect that leads to a delay in the cycling of 11- cis -retinal.
  • the present invention provides methods of restoring or stabilizing photoreceptor function in a vertebrate visual system.
  • Synthetic retinoids can be administered to human or non-human vertebrate subjects to restore or stabilize photoreceptor function, and/or to ameliorate the effects of a deficiency in retinoid levels.
  • methods for restoring photoreceptor function in a vertebrate eye.
  • the method generally includes administering to a vertebrate having an endogenous deficiency in the eye an effective amount of a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid binds to opsin in the vertebrate eye and forms a functional opsin/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be locally administered to the eye such as, for example, by eye drops, intraocular injection or periocular injection.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be orally administered to the vertebrate.
  • a method for sparing the requirement for endogenous retinoid in a vertebrate eye generally includes administering to the eye a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, wherein the synthetic retinoid binds to opsin in the vertebrate eye and forms a functional opsin/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9 -cis- retinal.
  • the endogenous retinoid that is deficient can be, for example, 11- cis -retinal.
  • a method of ameliorating loss of photoreceptor function in a vertebrate eye generally includes prophylactically administering an effective amount of a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle to the vertebrate eye.
  • the synthetic binds to opsin protein to form a functional opsin/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, orally administered or locally administered.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • a method of selecting a treatment for a subject having or at risk for developing a diminished visual capacity generally includes determining whether the subject has a deficient endogenous retinoid level, as compared with a standard subject, and administering to the subject an effective amount of a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid binds to opsin in the subject's eye.
  • the subject can be, for example, a human having Leber Congenital Amaurosis, Retinitis Punctata Albesciens, Congenital Stationary Night Blindness, Fundus Albipunctatus or Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
  • the endogenous retinoid that is deficient is 11- cis -retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, orally or locally administered to a vertebrate, such as by local administration to the vertebrate eye.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • an ophthalmologic composition that includes a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • the ophthalmologic composition can be, for example, eye drops, an intraocular injectable solution or a periocular injectable solution.
  • an oral dosage form in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • a method is provided of treating Leber Congenital Amaurosis in a vertebrate subject.
  • the method generally includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid binds to opsin in the vertebrate eye and forms a functional opsin/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII, with the proviso that the synthetic retinoid is not 9- cis -retinal. In other embodiments, the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, locally administered to the eye.
  • the synthetic retinoid is locally administered by eye drops, intraocular injection, periocular injection, or the like.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be orally administered to the subj ect.
  • a method for treating Retinitis Punctata Albesciens, Congenital Stationary Night Blindness or Fundus Albipunctatus in a vertebrate subject.
  • the method generally includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid binds to opsin in the vertebrate eye and forms a functional opsin/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, ITI, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, locally administered to the eye.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be locally administered by, for example, eye drops, intraocular injection or periocular injection.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be orally administered to the subj ect.
  • a method for treating Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a vertebrate subject generally includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid binds to opsin in the vertebrate eye and forms an opsin/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the synthetic retinoid can bind to free opsin in the eye.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, locally administered to the eye.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be locally administered by eye drops, intraocular injection or periocular injection.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be orally administered to the subject.
  • a method is provided of treating or preventing loss of night vision or contrast sensitivity in an aging vertebrate subject.
  • the method generally includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a synthetic retinoid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
  • the synthetic retinoid can bind to opsin in the vertebrate eye and form an opsin/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the synthetic retinoid can bind to free opsin in the eye.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, a synthetic retinoid of formula I, IT, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII or XIII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9- cis -retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be, for example, locally administered to the eye. Suitable methods of local administration include, for example, by eye drops, intraocular injection or periocular injection.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be orally administered to the subject. In certain embodiments, the synthetic retinoid is administered prophylactically to the subject.
  • Figure 1 Changes in retinoid levels and interface between RPE and ROS in Rpe65- /- mice gavaged with 9- cis -retinal.
  • Figure 1A the levels of all- trans -retinyl esters (closed circles) and 11- cis- retinal (closed squares) in Rpe65 +/+ compared with levels of all- trans- retinyl esters (open circles) in Rpe66 -/- mice as a function of age.
  • Figure 1B ester analysis of 9-cis-retinal-treated and untreated Rpe65- / - mice.
  • Rpe65- / - mice were treated with 25 ⁇ g of 9- cis -retinal starting at PND 7 every other day until they were 1 month old. Note the y axis scale.
  • Figure 1C age-related accumulation of all- trans -retinyl esters in Rpe65 -/- mice (gray line with black data points) compared with the ester levels (circles) in animals treated with 9- cis -retinal starting at PND 7 (left panel) (25 ⁇ g every other day, and after PND 30 gavaged with 9- cis -retinal (250 ⁇ g) once a week) or PND 30 (right panel) gavaged with 9- cis -retinal (250 ⁇ g) once a week.
  • the levels of iso -rhodopsin in treated Rpe65- / - mice are indicated by triangles measured as 11- cis -retinyl oximes.
  • Figure 1D changes in the RPE-ROS interface in Rpe65 mice treated with 9- cis -retinal.
  • Rpe65- / - mice were treated with 9- cis -retinal (200 ⁇ g each) at PND 7, 11, and 15 and analyzed when they were PND 30 (panels c and d) and PND 90 (panels e and f).
  • Rpe65- / - mice were treated with 9- cis -retinal (200 ⁇ g each) at PND 30 and analyzed when they were PND 120 (panels g and h). Control retina from untreated Rpe65- / - mice at PND 7 and PND 30 is shown on the top (panels a and b, respectively). Only partially filled lipid-like droplet in early treated mice (left column, arrow in panel c), and considerably improved RPE-ROS processes (right column) in all treated mice were observed. Scale bar, 1 ⁇ m.
  • Figure 2 Effects of light exposure on iso -rhodopsin levels in Rpe65 -/- mice gavaged 9- cis -retinal and ERG responses after a long term treatment with 9- cis -retinal.
  • Figure 2B the levels of rhodopsin or iso- rhodopsin in 6-month-old Rpe65- / - mice.
  • rhodopsin levels in wild-type mice were compared with iso -rhodopsin in Rpe65- / - mice treated twice with 9- cis -retinal (2.5 mg each time) at 1 month old with 4-day intervals (column c) and treated twice with 3-month (column d) or 4-month (column e) intervals.
  • FIG. 2C the intensity-dependent response of flicker ERGs in Rpe65 +/+ , Rpe65- / -, Rpe65- / - treated with 9- cis- retinal, and Rpe65- / - Rgr-/- mice.
  • the flicker recordings were obtained with a range of intensities of 0.00040-41 cd ⁇ s/m 2 at a fixed frequency (10 Hz).
  • the differences in light sensitivity were evaluated by comparing the half-saturating flash intensity (I0) obtained from fitting the mean data with an equation for exponential saturation.
  • I0 half-saturating flash intensity obtained from fitting the mean data with an equation for exponential saturation.
  • R / R max 1 - exp ln ⁇ 2 ⁇ iIo where R is the peak amplitude of the response, Rmax is the amplitude of the maximum response, and i is the flash strength in photons/ ⁇ m 2 .
  • the solid lines are the exponential saturation function fitted to data with 10 (equivalent 500 nm photons/ ⁇ m 2 ): 25 ( Rpe65 +/+) , 164 (2.5), 1995 (1.25), 3929 (0.25), and 3714 (0 mg of 9- cis -retinal).
  • 10 equivalent 500 nm photons/ ⁇ m 2
  • 25 Rpe65 +/+
  • 164 2.5
  • 1995 (1.25
  • 3929 0.25
  • 3714 0. mg of 9- cis -retinal.
  • the kinetics of responses adapted by similar amounts (approximately 4-fold) by steady background illumination (336 equivalent 500-nm photons/ ⁇ m 2 /s, black traces) in a Rpe65 +/+ rod and by dark light (free opsin) in rod from Rpe65- / - mouse treated with 1.25 mg of 9- cis- retinal.
  • Each trace is from a single rod and is the mean of 10-20 flashes either 6.25 (wild-type) or 910 ( Rpe65- / - 1.25 mg of 9- cis -retinal (500 nm photon/ ⁇ m 2 /flash).
  • Figure 4 Photosensitivity of 11- cis -7-ring-retinal isomers and substrate specificity of eye-specific RDHs.
  • Figure 4A light sensitivity of 11- cis -7-ring-retinals and 11- cis -7-ring-rhodopsin.
  • the bleaching studies were carried out as described under "Methods and Materials" (Example 2 ( infra )) .
  • the conditions for oxime formation from each isomer are described below for Figure 4C .
  • FIG. 4B the purification of 11- cis -ring-rhodopsin isomers was monitored by UV spectroscopy in each step.
  • Trace a the 71,700 ⁇ g supernatant of 11- cis- ring-rhodopsin isomer 3 (solubilized by 10 mM n-dodecyl- ⁇ -D-maltoside);
  • trace b the flow-through fraction after the supernatant passed through a concanavalin A-Sepharase 4B column (see “Methods and Materials", Example 2 ( infra ));
  • trace c the fraction after extensive wash of the concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B column;
  • trace d the purified 11- cis -7-ring-rhodopsin isomer 3; and trace e, the photobleached 11- cis -7-ring-rhodopsion isomer 3.
  • FIG. 4C normal phase HPLC analysis of oxime derivatives of 11- cis -7-ring-retinal isomers 1-4 in solution (HPLC traces i-viii, 1'and 1":11- cis -7-ring-retinal isomer 1 oximes, syn and anti, respectively; 2' and 2":11-7- cis- ring-retinal isomer 2 oximes, syn and anti , respectively; 3' and 3":11- cis -7-ring-retinal isomer 3 oxime, syn and anti, respectively; and 4' and 4":11- cis- 7-ring-retinal isomer 4 oximes, syn and anti, respectively) and in rhodopsin 3 (ix and x) without (i, iii, v, vii, and ix) or with (ii, iv, vi, viii, and x) photobleaching.
  • the 11- cis- 7-ring-rhodopsin was solubilized with n-dodecyl- ⁇ -D-maltoside and purified over a concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B column.
  • the purified fraction was subjected to photobleaching, and the chromophore(s) was derivatized with hydroxylamine and analyzed by HPLC as described under "Methods and Materials" (Example 2 ( infra )).
  • isomers 1-4 were also derivatized in the same elution buffer with or without photobleaching. *, contains minor amounts of compound 2 because of the unresolved peaks between compounds 2 and 3; mAU, milliabsorption units.
  • FIG. 5 LRAT activity toward different retinoids. Time course of LRAT activity with four 11- cis- ring-7-ring-retinol isomers, an average of two independent studies. Below is LRAT activity with all- trans- retinol, the native substrate for LRAT. Assays were performed as described under Methods and Materials" (Example 2 ( infra )).
  • FIG 6 Dissociation of Gt in the presence of GTP as measured using light-scattering methods.
  • Figures 5B and 5C the dissociation signal of the photoproduct ofRh regenerated with the 11- cis- 7-ring (isomer 1) (B) or 11- cis -6-ring (C) analogs at pH 6.4 and 7.4, respectively, evoked by a bright flash (1350-fold intensity as compared with A).
  • Figure 5D sensitivity of 11- cis -6-ring-Rh to NH 2 OH (2.5 mM) at pH 7.4.
  • the present invention provides methods of restoring or stabilizing photoreceptor function in a vertebrate visual system.
  • Synthetic retinoids can be administered to restore or stabilize photoreceptor function, and/or to ameliorate the effects of a deficiency in retinoid levels.
  • Photoreceptor function can be restored or stabilized, for example, by providing a synthetic retinoid act as an 11- cis -retiuoid replacement and/or an opsin agonist.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can ameliorate the effects of a retinoid deficiency on a vertebrate visual system.
  • a synthetic retinoid can be administered prophylactically or therapeutically to a vertebrate.
  • Suitable vertebrates include, for example, human and non-human vertebrates.
  • Suitable non-human vertebrates include, for example, mammals, such as dogs, cats, horses and other domesticated animals.
  • the synthetic retinoids are retinals derived from 11- cis -retinal or 9- cis -retinal, or are 9-cis-retinal.
  • the "synthetic retinoid" is a "synthetic cis retinoid.”
  • the synthetic retinoid is a derivative of 11- cis -retinal or 9- cis -retinal, with the proviso that the synthetic retinoid is not 9- cis -retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid is not vitamin A.
  • a synthetic retinoid can, for example, be a retinoid replacement, supplementing the levels of endogenous retinoid.
  • a synthetic retinoid can bind to opsin, and function as an opsin agonist.
  • the term "agonist" refers to a synthetic retinoid that binds to opsin and facilitates the ability of an opsin/synthetic retinoid complex to respond to light.
  • a synthetic retinoid can spare the requirement for endogenous retinoid.
  • a synthetic retinoid also can restore function (e.g., photoreception) to opsin by binding to the opsin and forming a functional opsin/synthetic retinoid complex, whereby the opsin/synthetic retinoid complex can respond to photons when part of a rod or cone membrane.
  • function e.g., photoreception
  • Synthetic retinoids include 11- cis -retinal derivatives or 9- cis- retinal derivatives such as, for example, the following: acyclic retinals; retinals with modified polyene chain length, such as trienoic or tetraenoic retinals; retinals with substituted polyene chains, such as alkyl, halogen or heteratom-substituted polyene chains; retinals with modified polyene chains, such as trans- or cis- locked polyene chains, or with, for example, allene or alkyne modifications; and retinals with ring modifications, such as heterocyclic, heteroaromatic or substituted cycloalkane or cycloalkene rings.
  • acyclic retinals retinals with modified polyene chain length, such as trienoic or tetraenoic retinals
  • retinals with substituted polyene chains such as alkyl, halogen or heteratom-sub
  • the synthetic retinoid can be a retinal of the following formula I:
  • R and R1 can be independently selected from linear, iso-, sec-, test- and other branched alkyl groups as well as substituted alkyl groups, substituted branched alkyl, hydroxyl, hydroalkyl, amine, amide, or the like.
  • R and R1 can independently be lower alkyl, which means straight or branched alkyl with 1-6 carbon atom(s) such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, or the like.
  • Suitable substituted alkyls and substituted branch alkyl include, for example, alkyls, branched alkyls and cyclo-alkyls substituted with oxygen, hydroxyl, nitrogen, amide, amine, halogen, heteroatom or other groups.
  • Suitable heteroatoms include, for example, sulfur, silicon, and fluoro- or bromo- substitutions.
  • R or R1 can be a cyclo-alkyl such as, for example, hexane, cyclohexene, benzene as well as substituted cyclo-alkyl.
  • Suitable substituted cycle alkyl include, for example, cyclo-alkyls substituted with oxygen, hydroxyl, nitrogen, amide, amine, halogen, heteroatom or other groups.
  • Suitable heteroatoms include, for example, sulfur, silicon, and fluoro- or bromo- substitutions.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be a derivative of an 11- cis -retinal or 9- cis -retinal that has a modified polyene chain length of the following formula II:
  • the polyene chain length can be extended by 1, 2, or 3 alkyl, alkene or alkylene groups.
  • each n and n 1 can be independently selected from 1, 2, or 3 alkyl, alkene or alkylene groups, with the proviso that the sum of the n and n 1 is at least 1.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be a derivative of an 11- cis -retinal or 9- cis -retinal that has a substituted polyene chain of the following formula III:
  • R1 to R9 can be independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, branched alkyl, cyclo-alkyl, halogen, a heteratom, or the like.
  • Suitable alkyls include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, substituted alkyl ( e.g., alkyl with hydroxyl, hydroalkyl, amine, amide) or the like.
  • Suitable branched alkyl can be, for example, isopropyl, isobutyl, substituted branched alkyl, or the like.
  • Suitable cyclo-alkyls can include, for example, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, and other cyclic alkanes as well as substituted cyclic alkanes such as substituted cyclohexane or substituted cycloheptane.
  • Suitable halogens include, for example, bromine, chlorine, fluorine, or the like.
  • Suitable heteroatoms include, for example, sulfur, silicon, and fluoro- or bromo- substitutions.
  • Suitable substituted alkyls, substituted branch alkyls and substituted cyclo-alkyls include, for example, alkyls, branched alkyls and cyclo-alkyls substituted with oxygen, hydroxyl, nitrogen, amide, amine, halogen, heteroatom or other groups.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9-ethyl-11- cis -retinal, 7-methyl-11- cis- retinal, 13-desmethyl-11- cis -retinal, 11- cis -10-F-retinal, 11- cis -10-Cl-retinal, 11- cis -10-methyl-retinal, 11- cis -10-ethyl-retinal, 9- cis -10-F-retinal, 9- cis -10-Cl-retinal, 9 -cis-10- methyl-retinal, 9- cis -10-ethyl-retinal, 11- cis -12-F-retinal, 11- cis -12-Cl-retinal, 11- cis -12-methyl-retinal, 11- cis -10-ethyl-retinal, 9- cis -12-F-retinal, 11- cis -12-C
  • the synthetic retinoid further can be derivative of an 11- cis -retinal or 9- cis -retinal that has a modified ring structure.
  • Suitable examples include, for example, derivatives containing ring modifications, aromatic analogs and heteroaromatic analogs of the following formulae IV, V and VI, respectively:
  • Each of R1 to R5 or R6, as applicable, can be independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, hydroxyl, hydroalkyl, amine, amide, halogen, a heteratom, or the like.
  • Suitable alkyls include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or the like.
  • Suitable halogens include, for example, bromine, chlorine, fluorine, or the like.
  • Suitable heteroatoms include, for example, sulfur, silicon, or nitrogen.
  • X can be, for example, sulfur, silicon, nitrogen, fluoro- or bromo- substitutions.
  • the synthetic retinoid can further be a derivative of an 11- cis -retinal or 9- cis -retinal that has a modified polyene chain.
  • Suitable derivatives include, for example, those with a trans / cis locked configuration, 6s-loclced analogs, as well as modified allene, alkene, alkyne or alkylene groups in the polyene chain.
  • the derivative is an 11- cis -locked analog of the following formula VII:
  • R can be, for example, hydrogen, methyl or other lower alkane or branch alkane.
  • n can be 0 to 4.
  • m plus 1 equals 1, 2 or 3.
  • the synthetic retinoid is a 11- cis -locked analog of the following formula VIII: n can be 1 to 4.
  • the synthetic retinoid is 9,11,13- tri-cis -7-ring retinal, 11 , 13- di-cis- 7-ring retinal, 11- cis -7-ring retinal or 9,11- di - cis -7-ring retinal.
  • the synthetic retinoid is a 6s-loclced analog of formula IX.
  • R1 and R2 can be independently selected from hydrogen, methyl and other lower alkyl and substituted lower alkyl.
  • R3 can be independently selected from an alkene group at either of the indicated positions.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be a 9- cis -ring-fused derivative, such as, for example, those shown in formulae X-XII.
  • the synthetic retinoid is of the following formula XIII.
  • R1 to R15 can be independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, branched alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, hydroalkyl, amine, amide, a heteratom, or the like.
  • Suitable alkyls include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, substituted alkyl ( e.g., alkyl with hydroxyl, hydroalkyl, amine, amide), or the like.
  • Suitable branched alkyl can be, for example, isopropyl, isobutyl, substituted branched alkyl, or the like.
  • Suitable halogens include, for example, bromine, chlorine, fluorine, or the like.
  • Suitable heteroatoms include, for example, sulfur, silicon, and fluoro- or bromo- substitutions.
  • Suitable substituted alkyls and substituted branch alkyls include, for example, alkyls and branched alkyls substituted with oxygen, hydroxyl, nitrogen, amide, amine, halogen, heteroatom or other groups.
  • Each of n and n 1 can be independently selected from 1, 2, or 3 alkyl, alkene or alkylene groups, with the proviso that the sum of the n and n 1 is at least 1.
  • R11-R12 and/or R13-R14 can comprise an alkene group in the cyclic carbon ring.
  • R5 and R7 together can form a cyclo-alkyl, such as a five, six, seven or eight member cyclo-alkyl or substituted cyclo-alkyl, such as, for example, those shown in formulae VII, VIII, X, XI and XII.
  • the synthetic retinoid also can be 9- cis -retinal.
  • 11- cis -retinal can be used.
  • synthetic retinoids can be identified, for example, by an expression system expressing the opsin protein.
  • Suitable animal models include, for example, RPE65- / - mice ( see infra ).
  • Suitable non-human animal models further include rat, mouse, primate systems.
  • Such animal models can be prepared, for example, by promoting homologous recombination between a nucleic acid encoding an opsin in its chromosome and an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a mutant opsin.
  • homologous recombination is carried out by transforming embryo-derived stem (ES) cells with a vector containing an opsin gene, such that homologous recombination occurs, followed by injecting the ES cells into a blastocyst, and implanting the blastocyst into a foster mother, followed by the birth of the chimeric animal (see, e.g., Capecchi, Science 244:1288-92 (1989 )).
  • the chimeric animal can be bred to produce additional transgenic animals.
  • Suitable expression systems can include, for example, in vitro or in vivo systems.
  • Suitable in vitro systems include for example, coupled transcription-translation systems.
  • Suitable in vivo systems include, for example, cells expressing an opsin protein.
  • cells of a vertebrate visual system can be adapted for culture in vitro, or recombinant cell lines expressing an opsin protein can be used.
  • the cell lines are typically stable cell lines expressing the opsin protein.
  • Synthetic retinoid can be added to the cell culture media, and the cells cultured for a suitable period of time to allow the production of opsin/rhodopsin.
  • Opsin and/or rhodopsin can be isolated ( e.g., by immunoaffinity).
  • Isolated protein samples are examined to determine the amount of pigment formed, and absorbance maxima.
  • Methods of introducing nucleic acids into vertebrate cells are disclosed in, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 2001 ).
  • Recombinant cell lines expressing opsin protein can be prepared by, for example, introducing an expression construct encoding an opsin protein into a suitable cell line.
  • the expression construct typically includes a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding an opsin protein, and optionally a termination signal(s).
  • Nucleic acids encoding opsin can be obtained, for example, by using information from a database ( e.g., a genomic or cDNA library), by polymerase chain reaction, or the like.
  • opsin encoding nucleic acids can be obtained by hybridization. ( See generally Sambrook et al. ( supra ).)
  • an opsin encoding nucleic acid can be obtained by hybridization under conditions of low, medium or high stringency.
  • opsin encoding nucleic acids can be obtained under conditions of high stringency hybridization.
  • procedures using conditions of high stringency are as follows: Prehybridization of filters containing DNA is carried out for 8 hours to overnight at 65°C in buffer composed of 6x SSC, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 1 mM EDTA, 0.02% PVP, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% BSA, and 500 ⁇ g/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA.
  • Filters are hybridized for 48 hours at 65°C in prehybridization mixture containing 100 ⁇ g/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA and 5-20 x 10 6 cpm of 32 P-labeled probe. Washing of filters is done at 65°C for 1 hour in a solution containing 2x SSC, 0.01% PVP, 0.01% Ficoll, and 0.01% BSA. This is followed by a wash in 0.1x SSC at 50°C for 45 minutes before autoradiography. Other conditions of high stringency which can be used are well known in the art. ( See generally Sambrook et al. ( supra ).)
  • the expression construct can optionally include one or more origins of replication and/or selectable marker(s) (e.g ., an antibiotic resistance gene).
  • selectable markers include, for example, those conferring resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, neomycin, G418, and the like.
  • Suitable cell lines include, for example, HEK293 cells, T-REx TM -293 cells, CHO cells and other cells or cell lines.
  • the UV-visible spectra of rhodopsin can be monitored to determine whether the synthetic retinoid has formed a Schiff's base with the opsin protein.
  • acid-denatured, purified protein can be analyzed to determine whether an absorbance maxima of approximately 440 nm is present, providing evidence that the synthetic retinoid forms a Schiff's base with the opsin protein.
  • hydroxylamine treatment can be used to confirm the Schiff's base is sequestered from the external environment ( infra ).
  • Suitable synthetic retinoids also can be selected by molecular modeling of rhodopsin.
  • the coordinates for rhodopsin crystal structure are available from the Protein Data Bank (1HZX) ( Teller et al., Biochemistry 40:7761-72 (2001 )).
  • the effects of amino acid substitutions on the structure of rhodopsin, and on the contacts between opsin and 11- cis -retinal, or a synthetic retinoid can be determined by molecular modeling.
  • the coordinates for the rhodopsin crystal structure from the Protein Data Bank (1HZX) are used to generate a computer model.
  • the addition of hydrogen atoms and optimization can be done, for example, using Insight II ( InsightII release 2000, Accelrys, Inc., San Diego, CA ).
  • Crystallographic water can be removed, and water molecules introduced based on the accessible space in the extracellular region. Typically, no minimization is performed before water is added.
  • a water layer (e.g ., 5 A thick) can be used to coat the extracellular part of rhodopsin as well as residues in contact with polar phospholipids heads.
  • a water cap is put on the extracellular part of rhodopsin (together with that part buried in membrane in contact with polar heads of phospholipids).
  • Water and the extracellular part of rhodopsin can be allowed to move and the movement modeled at any suitable frequency.
  • the movement of the modeled rhodopsin can be modeling at 100 ps simulations.
  • Synthetic retinoids can be contacted with an opsin protein under conditions suitable and for a period of time sufficient for the formation of an opsin protein/synthetic retinoid complex.
  • the stability of the opsin/synthetic retinoid complex can be determined by methods described herein or as known to the skilled artisan.
  • the opsin in the opsin/synthetic retinoid complex is stabilized when it exhibits increased stability (e.g ., increased half-life when bound to the synthetic retinoid as compared with free opsin ( i.e ., not bound to retinoid), is less sensitive to hydroxylamine, exhibits less accumulation in aggresomes, or the like).
  • the synthetic retinoid can be contacted with the opsin protein in vitro or in vivo.
  • the opsin protein can be synthesized in an in vitro translation system (e . g ., a wheat germ or reticulocyte lysate expression system) and the synthetic retinoid added to the expression system.
  • the opsin protein can be contacted with the opsin protein ex vivo, and then the complex can be administered to a vertebrate eye.
  • a synthetic retinoid can be administered to vertebrate eyes having a retinoid deficiency (e.g ., a deficiency of 11- cis -retinal), an excess of free opsin, an excess of retinoid waste products ( see infra ) or intermediates in the recycling of all- trans -retinal, or the like.
  • the vertebrate eye typically comprises a wild-type opsin protein.
  • retinoid levels in a vertebrate eye include for example, analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) of retinoids in a sample from a subject.
  • HPLC high pressure liquid chromatography
  • retinoid levels or a deficiency in such levels can be determined from a blood sample from a subject.
  • a blood sample can be obtained from a subject and retinoid types and levels in the sample can be separated and analyzed by normal phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) (e.g ., with a HP1100 HPLC and a Beckman, Ultrasphere-Si, 4.6 mm x 250 mm column using 10% ethyl acetate/90% hexane at a flow rate of 1.4 ml/minute).
  • HPLC high pressure liquid chromatography
  • the retinoids can be detected by, for example, detection at 325 nm using a diode-array detector and HP Chemstation A.03.03 software.
  • a deficiency in retinoids can be determined, for example, by comparison of the profile of retinoids in the sample with a sample from a normal subject.
  • absent, deficient or depleted levels of endogenous retinoid refer to levels of endogenous retinoid lower than those found in a healthy eye of a vertebrate of the same species.
  • a synthetic retinoid can spare the requirement for endogenous retinoid.
  • prophylactic and prophylactically refer to the administration of a synthetic retinoid to prevent deterioration or further deterioration of the vertebrate visual system, as compared with a comparable vertebrate visual system not receiving the synthetic retinoid.
  • the term “restore” refers to a long-term (e.g ., as measured in weeks or months) improvement in photoreceptor function in a vertebrate visual system, as compared with a comparable vertebrate visual system not receiving the synthetic retinoid.
  • stabilize refers to minimization of additional degradation in a vertebrate visual system, as compared with a comparable vertebrate visual system not receiving the synthetic retinoid.
  • the vertebrate eye is characterized as having Leber Congenital Amaurosis ("LCA").
  • LCA Leber Congenital Amaurosis
  • This disease is a very rare childhood condition that effects children from birth or shortly there after. It affects both rods and cones in the eye.
  • certain mutations in the genes encoding RP65 and LRAT proteins are involved in LCA. Mutations in both genes result in a person's inability to make 11- cis -retinal in adequate quantities. Thus, 11- cis -retinal is either absent or present in reduced quantities.
  • RP65-defective individuals retinyl esters build up in the RPE. LRAT-defective individuals are unable to make esters and subsequently secrete any excess retinoids.
  • a synthetic cis -retinoid can be used to replace the absent or depleted 11- cis -retinal.
  • the vertebrate eye is characterized as having Retinitis Punctata Albesciens.
  • This disease is a form of Retinitis Pigmentosa that exhibits a shortage of 11- cis- retinal in the rods.
  • a synthetic cis -retinoid can be used to replace the absent or depleted 11-cis retinal.
  • the vertebrate eye is characterized as having Congenital Stationary Night Blindness ("CSNB”) or Fundus Albipunctatus.
  • CSNB Congenital Stationary Night Blindness
  • Fundus Albipunctatus until recently was thought to be a special case of CSNB where the retinal appearance is abnormal with hundreds of small white dots appearing in the retina. It has been shown recently that this is also a progressive disease, although with a much slower progression than Retinitis Pigmentosa. It is caused by a gene defect that leads to a delay in the cycling of 11- cis -retinal.
  • synthetic retinoids can be administered to restore photoreceptor function by retinoid replacement.
  • the vertebrate eye is characterized as having age-related macular degeneration ("AMD").
  • AMD age-related macular degeneration
  • AMD can be wet or dry forms.
  • vision loss occurs when complications late in the disease either cause new blood vessels to grow under the retina or the retina atrophies.
  • excessive production of waste products from the photoreceptors may overload the RPE. This is due to a shortfall of 11- cis -retinal available to bind opsin. Free opsin is not a stable compound and can spontaneously cause firing of the biochemical reactions of the visual cascade without the addition of light.
  • Administration of a synthetic retinoid to the vertebrate eye can quench the deficiency of 11- cis -retinal and spontaneous misfiring of the opsin.
  • administration of a synthetic retinoid can lessen the production of waste products and/or lessen drusen formation, and reduce or slow vision loss (e.g ., choroidal neovascularization and/or chorioretinal atrophy).
  • a synthetic retinoid is administered to an aging subject.
  • an aging human subject is typically at least 45, or at least 50, or at least 60, or at least 65 years old.
  • the subject has an aging eye, which is characterized as having a decrease in night vision and/or contrast sensitivity. Excess unbound opsin randomly excites the visual transduction system. This creates noise in the system and thus more light and more contrast are necessary to see well. Quenching these free opsin molecules with a synthetic retinoid will reduce spontaneous misfiring and increase the signal to noise ratio, thereby improving night vision and contrast sensitivity.
  • Synthetic retinoids can be administered to human or other non-human vertebrates. Synthetic retinoids can be delivered to the eye by any suitable means, including, for example, oral or local administration. Modes of local administration can include, for example, eye drops, intraocular injection or periocular injection. Periocular injection typically involves injection of the synthetic retinoid into the conjunctiva or to the tennon (the fibrous tissue overlying the eye). Intraocular injection typically involves injection of the synthetic retinoid into the vitreous. In certain embodiments, the administration is non-invasive, such as by eye drops or oral dosage form.
  • Synthetic retinoids can be formulated for administration using pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles as well as techniques routinely used in the art.
  • a vehicle is selected according to the solubility of the synthetic retinoid.
  • Suitable ophthalmological compositions include those that are administrable locally to the eye, such as by eye drops, injection or the like.
  • the formulation can also optionally include, for example, isotonizing agents such as sodium chloride, concentrated glycerin, and the like; buffering agents such as sodium phosphate, sodium acetate, and the like; surfactants such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate (also referred to as Polysorbate 80), polyoxyl stearate 40, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and the like; stabilization agents such as sodium citrate, sodium edentate, and the like; preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride, parabens, and the like; and other ingredients. Preservatives can be employed, for example, at a level of from about 0.001 to about 1.0% weight/volume.
  • the pH of the formulation is usually within the range acceptable to ophthalmologic formulations, such as within the range of about pH 4 to 8.
  • the synthetic retinoid can be provided in an injection grade saline solution, in the form of an injectable liposome solution, or the like.
  • Intraocular and periocular injections are known to those skilled in the art and are described in numerous publications including, for example, Ophthalmic Surgery: Principles of Practice, Ed., G. L. Spaeth, W. B. Sanders Co., Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A., pages 85-87 (1990 ).
  • Suitable oral dosage forms include, for example, tablets, pills, sachets, or capsules of hard or soft gelatin, methylcellulose or of another suitable material easily dissolved in the digestive tract.
  • Suitable nontoxic solid carriers can be used which include, for example, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, talcum, cellulose, glucose, sucrose, magnesium carbonate, and the like. ( See, e.g., Remington "Pharmaceutical Sciences", 17 Ed., Gennaro (ed.), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pennsylvania (1985 ).)
  • the doses of the synthetic retinoids can be suitably selected depending on the clinical status, condition and age of the subject, dosage form and the like.
  • a synthetic retinoid can be administered, for example, from about 0.01 mg, about 0.1 mg, or about 1 mg, to about 25 mg, to about 50 mg, to about 90 mg per single dose. Eye drops can be administered one or more times per day, as needed.
  • suitable doses can be, for example, about 0.0001 mg, about 0.001 mg, about 0.01 mg, or about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, to about 25 mg, to about 50 mg, or to about 90 mg of the synthetic retinoid, one to four times per week.
  • about 1.0 to about 30 mg of synthetic retinoid can be administered one to three times per week.
  • Oral doses can typically range from about 1.0 to about 1000 mg, one to four times, or more, per day.
  • An exemplary dosing range for oral administration is from about 10 to about 250 mg one to three times per day.
  • the visual process is initiated by the photoisomerization of 11- cis -retinal to all- trans -retinal.
  • the 11- cis -chromophore must be regenerated from all- trans -retinal.
  • RPE65 a dominant retinal pigment epithelium protein. Disruption of the RPE65 gene results in massive accumulation of all- trans -retinyl esters in the retinal pigment epithelium, lack of 11- cis -retinal and therefore rhodopsin, and ultimately blindness.
  • LCA Leber congenital amaurosis
  • RPE65 retinal pigment epithelium cells
  • RPE65 retinal pigment epithelium cells
  • Rpe65- / - mice Genetically engineered mice in which the gene for Rpe65 has been eliminated ( Rpe65- / - ) exhibit changes in retinal morphology, function, and biochemistry that closely resemble the changes seen in human LCA patients. Both rod and cone function is severely disrupted, and the ERG is severely attenuated in Rpe65- / - mice. There is also a dramatic overaccumulation of all- trans -retinyl esters in the RPE cells in lipid-like droplets and degeneration of the retina. Thus, the Rpe65- / - mouse provides the opportunity to gain insight into the cellular and molecular origins and consequences of LCA as well as a means to test different therapeutic strategies.
  • This study describes the results of an in-depth study of the changes in biochemistry and function that occur in Rpe65- / - mice and show how the progression of the disease can be interrupted and the functional effects reversed by providing a supply of 9- cis -retinal.
  • the goals were to: 1) examine the beneficial effects of 9- cis -retinal treatment on the progression of the disease and on photoreceptor function; 2) evaluate using single cell electrophysiology and ERG recording how 9- cis -retinal treatment affected rod function and light-driven signals in the retina; and 3) investigate the biochemical basis for the low level of residual vision that persists in both LCA patients and Rpe65- / - mice.
  • mice All of the animal studies employed procedures approved by the University of Washington Animal Care Committee and conformed with recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia. Animals were maintained in complete darkness, and all of the manipulations were performed under dim red light employing all Kodak No. 1 Safelight filter (transmittance, >560 nm). Typically, 2-3-month-old mice were used in all of the studies. RPE65 -deficient mice were obtained from Dr. M. Redmond (NEI, National Institutes of Health) and genotyped as described previously ( Redmond et al., Nat. Genet. 20:344-51 (1998 ); Redmond et al., Methods Enzymol. 316:705-24 (2000 )).
  • Retinal G protein-coupled receptor-deficient mice were generated and genotyped as described previously ( Chen et al., Nat. Genet. 28:256-60 (2001 )). Double knockout Rpe65- / - Rgr-/- were generated by cross-breeding single Rpe65-l- and Rgr-/- mice to genetic homogeneity.
  • Rhodopsin and iso-rhodopsin measurements were performed as described previously ( Palczewski et al., Biochemistry 38:12012-19 (1999 )). Typically, two mouse eyes were used per assay, and the assays were repeated three to six times. The data are presented with S.E.M.
  • Eye cups were prepared by removing the anterior segment and vitreous. The eyes were collected on ice at PND 1-28 on a weekly basis. "Thin” sections (1.0 ⁇ m) were stained with Richardson's blue solution (1%) and subjected to light microscopy. "Ultrathin” sections (0.05 ⁇ m) were stained with uranyl acetate/lead citrate and subjected to electron microscopy.
  • the cell suspension was removed, another aliquot of 400 ⁇ l of MOPS buffer was added, and the eyecups were shaken again for 20 minutes.
  • the cell suspensions were combined and subjected to glass-glass homogenization.
  • the homogenate was centrifuged at 10,000 ⁇ g for 10 min, and then the supernatant was centrifuged at 275,000 ⁇ g for 1 hour.
  • the pellet was then reconstituted in 200 ⁇ l of the MOPS buffer and resubjected to glass-glass homogenization.
  • the total protein concentration typically 0.5-1 mg/ml was determined by the Bradford method. ( See, e.g., Bradford, Anal. Biochem. 72:248-54 (1976 ).)
  • pro-S-[4- 3 H]NADH and pro-S-[4- 3 H]NADPH were carried out with L-glutamic dehydrogenase, NAD(P), and L-[2,3- 3 H]glutamic acid (PerkinElmer Life Sciences), as described previously ( Jang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276:32456-65 (2001 ); Jang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 275:28128-38 (2000 )).
  • RDH Assays The assays were carried out by monitoring the production of [15- 3 H]retinol (reduction of retinal) using 11- cis -retinal and pro-S-[4- 3 H]NAD(P)H as dinucleotide substrates in the presence or absence of NADH (see, e.g., McBee et al., Prog. Retin. Eye Res. 20:469-529 (2001 )).
  • Oral Gavage was carried out as described previously ( Van Hooser et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:8623-28 (2000 )).
  • Solution A contained 10 mg of 9- cis -retinal, 75 mg of Cremophor EL, 1 mg of ⁇ -tocopherol, and 0.6 mg of benzoic acid suspended in 1 ml of lactated Ringer's solution (Baxter). The mixture was vortexed for 10 minutes and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 20,000 ⁇ g, and the concentration of 9- cis -retinal (7.7 mM) was determined spectrophotometrically.
  • Solution B contained 13 mg of 9- cis -retinal, 50 mg of Cremophor EL, 10 mg of dipalmitoylphosphatidyl choline, and 40 mg of 2-hydroxypropyl- ⁇ -cyclodextrin suspended in 1 ml of lactated Ringer's solution (Baxter). The mixture was vortexed for 10 minutes and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 20,000 ⁇ g, and the concentration of 9- cis -retinal (10 mM) was determined spectrophotometrically. Solutions A and B (typically, 100 ⁇ l) were delivered to the mouse lateral tail vein employing a 1-ml syringe equipped with a 27-gauge needle and a restraint tube.
  • mice were dark-reared from birth and sacrificed via cervical dislocation, and the eyes were removed. The retina was isolated and stored on ice for up to 12 hours in HEPES-buffered Ames' solution (10 mM HEPES, pH adjusted to 7.4 with NaOH). Isolated rods were obtained by shredding a small piece of retina (roughly 1 mm 2 ) with fine needles in a 160- ⁇ l drop of solution.
  • the drop was then injected into a recording chamber mounted on the stage of an inverted microscope (Nikon Eclipse) equipped with an infrared video viewing system and continuously superfused at 2-3 ml/minute with bicarbonate-buffered Ames' solution warmed to 37 °C (pH 7.4 when equilibrated with 5% CO2, 95% O 2 ).
  • the entire dissection was carried out under infrared illumination using a dissecting microscope equipped with infrared-visible image converters.
  • An isolated rod was drawn by suction into a heat-polished, silanized borosilicate electrode with an opening 1.2-1.5 ⁇ m in diameter.
  • the electrode was filled with HEPES-buffered Ames' solution.
  • the electrical connections to the bath and suction electrode were made by NaCl-filled agar bridges that contacted calomel half-cells. Bath voltage was held at ground by an active clamp circuit ( Baylor et al. J. Physiol. 354:203-23 (1984 )).
  • Membrane current collected by the suction electrode was amplified by an Axopatch 200A patch clamp amplifier (Axon Instruments, Foster City, CA), filtered at 30 Hz (3 dB point) with an 8-pole Bessel low pass filter, and digitized at 1 kHz.
  • the light stimulus was spatially uniform and illuminated a circular area 0.57 mm in diameter centered on the recorded cell.
  • Light intensities were measured at the preparation and converted to equivalent 500-nm photons (max for rod sensitivity) using the absorption spectrum of rhodopsin and the measured light-emitting diode spectrum.
  • mice were dark-reared from birth and anesthetized (ketaject/xylaject, 65 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and the pupils were dilated with tropicamide (1%).
  • a contact lens electrode was placed on the eye with a drop of methylcellulose and a ground electrode placed in the ear.
  • ERGs were recorded and analyzed with the universal testing and electrophysiologic system 3000 (UTAS E-3000) (LKC Technologies Inc., Gaithersburg, MD). The mice were placed in a Ganzfield chamber, and flicker recordings were obtained from one eye. Flicker stimuli had a range of intensities (0.00040-41 cd ⁇ s/m 2 ) with a fixed frequency (10 Hz).
  • Rpe65 mice were divided into five groups: Rpe65- / -, Rpe65- / that were gavaged with 9- cis -retinal and kept in the dark; Rpe65- / - that were gavaged with 9- cis -retinal, exposed to a flash, and kept in the dark for 15 min; Rpe65+ / + that were kept in the dark; and Rpe65 +/+ that were exposed to a flash and kept in the dark for 15 minutes.
  • dark-adapted mice were subjected to a flash (Sunpak 433D, 1 ms) from a distance of 2 cm.
  • the retinas were fixed in 4% paraformalydehyde in 0.13 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.4, for 15 hours at 4 °C, and the tissues were transferred to 5, 10, or 15% sucrose in 0.13 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.4, for 30 minutes each time and stored overnight in 20% sucrose in the same buffer at 4 °C.
  • the tissue was then transferred to optimal cutting temperature cryoembedding compound and sectioned at 10 ⁇ m.
  • the cryosections were incubated overnight at 4 °C in mouse monoclonal anti-phosphorylated Rh A11-82P antibody diluted 1:10. Triton X-100 (0.1%) was included in all phosphate-buffered saline solutions to facilitate antibody penetration.
  • the controls were processed by omitting primary antibodies from the incubation buffer. After incubation in primary antibodies, the sections were rinsed with phosphate-buffered saline and then incubated with indocarbocyanine (Cy3)-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (1:200). The sections were rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline mounted in 5% n-propylgallate in glycerol and coverslipped.
  • RPE cells of Rpe65- / - mice contained numerous lipid-like droplets.
  • empty vacuoles were observed in fixed electron microscopy sections of RPE from Rpe65- / - mice but not in controls. With increasing age (>PND 21), they were filled with a diffractive material that was retained during electron microscopy section preparation. This observation correlates with the excessive accumulation of all- trans -retinyl esters in Rpe65- / - mice ( Figure 1A , open circles).
  • Retinyl esters also accumulated with age in Rpe65 +/+ mice, albeit at lower levels than for Rpe65 -/- mice.
  • PND 21 approximately 800 pmol/eye of retinyl esters accumulated compared with approximately 40 pmol/eye for Rpe65 +/+.
  • rhodopsin levels initially exceeded the amount of retinyl esters several-fold.
  • the level of rhodopsin or iso-rhodopsin was measured in 6-month-old Rpe65- / - mice ( Figure 2B ).
  • the iso -rhodopsin levels were comparable for three groups of Rpe65 -/- mice: mice treated twice with 9- cis -retinal (2.5 mg/dose) at PND 30 and 34, mice treated twice at PND 30 and 120, and mice treated twice at PND 30 and 150.
  • the 50% decrease of iso-rhodopsin in Rpe65 -/- ( Figure 2 , B compared with A) matches a similar decrease in rhodopsin in Rpe65 +/+ as a function of age.
  • ester levels were reduced by >50% (compared with untreated animals) and were unaffected by the frequency and dose of 9- cis -retinal. No rhodopsin or iso -rhodopsin was detected in untreated dark-adapted Rpe65 -/- mice.
  • 9- cis -Retinal reduced to 9- cis -retinol, can be stored in the eye and liver in the form of 9- cis -retinyl ester. When needed 9 -cis -retinol would be liberated by a retinyl hydrolase.
  • 9- cis -retinoids To determine how large the reservoir of 9- cis -retinoids is in the eye and liver, a group of mice were treated with 9- cis -retinal (2.5 mg) and after 48 hour exposed to multiple flashes at 1-hour intervals that bleached approximately 30-35% of rhodopsin/flash.
  • iso -rhodopsin and 9- cis -retinyl esters were significantly depleted after more than three intense flashes. Retinyl esters from liver and RPE were completely depleted after five flashes at 24-hour intervals. Continuous shedding and resynthesis of rhodopsin-containing ROS discs does not affect the long term preservation of the visual pigment. Therefore, it appears that 9- cis -retinal is, in a large part, recycled from phagocytized iso-rhodopsin to newly produced opsin molecules over an extended period of time.
  • Physiological effects of 9-cis-Retinal Treatment Treatment of Rpe65 -/- mice with 9- cis -retinal also provided long term improvement of retinal function.
  • the long term physiological effect of 9- cis -retinal treatment was determined from single flash responses of different intensities and flicker ERG measurements on Rpe65 +/+ and Rpe65 -/- mice.
  • Previous studies showed a partial recovery of the ERG sensitivity 48 hours after oral 9- cis- retinal administration. This partial recovery persisted for more than 12 weeks in Rpe65 -/- mice treated once at PND 30.
  • the flicker ERG in Rpe65 +/+ mice reached a peak amplitude of 254.9 ⁇ 41.5 ⁇ V at a light level of 0.015 cd ⁇ s/m 2 and 95.1 ⁇ 8.9 ⁇ V at 7.5 cd ⁇ s/m 2 ( Figure 2C , left panel). These data resemble the rod and cone dominant ERG responses, respectively.
  • the flicker ERG reached a significantly smaller peak amplitude, 76.0 ⁇ 12.0 ⁇ V, at a light level of 7.5 cd ⁇ s/m 2 ( Figure 2C , right panel).
  • the retinas from Rpe65 +/+ mice and Rpe65 -/- mice were fixed in constant darkness.
  • the ROS in Rpe65 +/+ mice showed no labeling, and the ROS from untreated Rpe65 -/- mice were labeled by a monoclonal antibody against phosphorylated opsin. This labeling was abolished for Rpe65 -/- mice (gavaged once at PND 30 and analyzed 48 hours post-treatment) treated with 9- cis -retinal. This 9- cis -treatment reduced phosphorylation of opsin to levels comparable with those in normal rods.
  • RPE microsomes were isolated from Rpe65 mice using a novel procedure.
  • 11- cis -retinol was produced from exogenously added all- trans -retinol only in the presence of RPE microsomes and CRALBP.
  • 11- cis -Retinol was absent when CRALBP was omitted, as well as when RPE microsomes or CRALBP were denatured by heat.
  • 11- cis- Retinol was not detected in RPE microsomes from Rpe65 -/- mice.
  • 11- cis -retinol dehydrogenase (11- cis -RDH) was purified in a complex with RPE65 protein
  • oxidation of 11- cis -retinol was investigated in RPE microsomes from Rpe65 mice. Strong activity was detected in Rpe65 +/+ and Rpe65 -/- mice using NADPH and NADH as a dinucleotide cofactor.
  • the test for dehydrogenase activity was carried out in the presence of nonradioactive NADH and [ 3 H]NADPH. In such conditions, only NADPH-dependent dehydrogenase activity can be readily detected.
  • Rpe65 +/+ and Rpe65- / - were insignificant because this activity is much higher than required for normal flow of retinoids as determined from 11- cis -Rdh/ mice ( Jang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276:32456-65 (2001 ). These data suggest that RPE microsomes from Rpe65 -/- mice contain high NADPH-dependent and NADH-dependent dehydrogenase activities. In addition, no differences were seen in immunolocalization of 11- cis -RDH in the RPE of Rpe65 mice.
  • the nonlinear relation between the dose of 9- cis -retinal and the iso - r hodopsin concentration presumably reflects accumulation in the liver and other tissues.
  • All of the rod types listed supported light responses that increased with increasing flash strength to reach a maximum (saturating) amplitude when the light was bright enough to cause all of the cGMP channels to close and fully suppress the light-sensitive dark current of the cell.
  • the response families from rods of each type show that the amplitude of the saturating response increases with increasing doses of 9- cis -retinal.
  • the relationship between mean dark current for each group of rods and the dose of 9- cis -retinal is plotted.
  • Light-sensitive dark current in Rpe65 -/- rods that received no supplemental 9- cis -retinal was 2.1 ⁇ 0.3 pA, not significantly different from Rpe65 -/- rods that received 0.25 mg of 9- cis -retinal (3.6 ⁇ 0.9 pA).
  • Rod dark current increased with larger doses of chromophore, reaching a value that was essentially the same as Rpe65 +/+ when mice where given 2.5 mg of 9-cis- retinal.
  • FIG. 3 plots the stimulus response curves for each of the five study conditions ( Rpe65 +/+ and Rpe65 -/- mice gavaged with 2.5, 1.25, 0.25, or 0 mg of 9- cis- retinal).
  • the half-saturating flash intensity was lowest in Rpe65 +/+ rods (approximately 30 photons/ ⁇ m 2 ) and increased by factors of 6, 66, and 131 in rods from mice gavaged with 2.5, 1.25, and 0.25 mg of 9- cis -retinal, respectively.
  • the light sensitivity of rods from mice that did not receive 9- cis -retinal was the same as rods from mice that received the lowest dose (0.25 mg).
  • 11-cis-Retinal Is Produced in Rpe65 -/- Mice by Photoisomerization Rpe65 -/- mice that were never exposed to light have 11- cis- retinal (identified as oximes) below detection level in conventional microanalysis of retinoids. However, these mice respond to intense illumination in ERG studies and in single cell recordings. To identify whether 11- cis -retinal is produced by exposure to bright light, four or eight eyes were used for retinoid analysis instead of two eyes. For Rpe65 -/-, no significant amounts of 11- cis -retinal were detected for dark-adapted animals.
  • Double knockout Rpe65 -/- Rgr-/- mice were generated, and retinoid analyses were carried out.
  • a significant reduction in free all- trans -retinal was observed (2.2 ⁇ 0.2 pmol/eye), but light flash photo-converted a similar fraction (approximately 50%) to 11- cis -retinal.
  • retina and RPE were separated and analyzed individually (note that eight eyes were used).
  • the majority of all- trans -retinal was observed in the retina, whereas 11- cis- retinal was present mostly in the RPE.
  • Bleaching converted all- trans -retinal to 11- cis -retinal that also resided in the retina. Once 11- cis -retinal is formed, its level does not change after 15, 30, or 120 minutes in the dark.
  • Intravenous injection is an efficient way of delivering retinoids, and there were no major differences between aldehyde and alcohol forms or their isomeric compositions (11- cis - versus 9- cis -) of cis -retinoids.
  • the Role of RPE65 and LCA Although the sequence of events that lead to the diseased state in Rpe65 -/- mice, the animal model of LCA, has not been established, it is likely that the primary defect is an interruption of the retinoid cycle. This cycle is responsible for regenerating the visual pigment through the enzymatic conversion of all- trans -retinal to 11- cis -retinal in the RPE and its return to the photoreceptor cell. Disruption of the normal retinoid flow between the RPE and photoreceptor can explain the overaccumulation of retinal esters in the RPE. Furthermore, the failure to regenerate rhodopsin can account for diminished rod and cone light sensitivity.
  • One source of desensitization was a decrease in the effective collecting area of the rod because of a reduction in both the amount of visual pigment and its quantum efficiency; the quantum efficiency of iso-rhodopsin is about one-third that of rhodopsin.
  • the remaining reduction in sensitivity could be explained by steady activation of the transduction cascade by free opsin, producing an effect equivalent to that caused by steady background illumination in wild-type rods.
  • Rods from Rpe65 -/- mice that were not treated with 9- cis -retinal also generated light responses that were strongly desensitized.
  • the presence of residual rod responses in untreated Rpe65 -/- mice is consistent with previous reports of reduced but present light responses in children with LCA. These results indicate that under these conditions the generation of light responses by flashes of intense light is most likely due to the production of 11- cis -retinal from the photoconversion of all- trans- retinal in the retina. It is open to speculation whether all- trans -retinal is free or coupled (either covalently or noncovalently) to opsin.
  • the preassociation of the chromophore and opsin would make the formation of the light-sensitive 11- cis -retinal complex (i.e., rhodopsin) fast enough for it to be subsequently photoisomerized and transduction-triggered within the period of a brief (10 ms) flash of light.
  • Phototransduction in Rods of Rpe65 Mice The shifts in light sensitivity rods from treated and untreated Rpe65 mice can be attributed to a decrease in the effective collecting area of the rod acting either alone (2.5 mg of 9- cis -retinal) or in addition to desensitization by an "equivalent background" because of a low level of steady activation of the transduction cascade by free opsin.
  • the effective collecting area depends on the geometric collecting area of the rod (A), the quantum efficiency of the pigment (QE), and the pigment density ( ⁇ ).
  • ECA A QE ⁇ 1 - 10 ⁇ ⁇ 1 where 1 is the path length.
  • the pigment regenerated using 9- cis -retinal is iso-rhodopsin, which has about one-third of the quantum efficiency of Rh (0.22 versus 0.67).
  • the biochemical measurements indicate that in mice gavaged with 2.5 mg of 9- cis -retinal, all of the pigment is iso -rhodopsin (no free opsin ⁇ 10%) and is about 57% of the amount of rhodopsin in Rpe65 +/+ rods ( i.e ., 300 pM iso-rhodopsin versus 525 pM rhodopsin).
  • the decreases in quantum efficiency and axial pigment density would be expected to cause approximately 5-fold decrease in effective collecting area of rods from mice fed with 2.5 mg of 9- cis -retinal.
  • background intensities of 378 and 648 photons/ ⁇ m 2 /s would be expected to cause 4.5- and 7-fold changes in flash sensitivity.
  • these background intensities correspond to equivalent activation in Rpe65 +/+ rods of 57 and 97 Rh*/s.
  • the equivalent background of residual free opsin was determined in the treated Rpe65 -/- rods by combining biochemical measurements of the free opsin concentration with physiological estimates of desensitization.
  • the number of Rh molecules in a Rpe65 +/+ rod is estimated to be about 2 ⁇ 10 7 ( i . e ., 3 mM rhodopsin in 0.02 p1).
  • Biochemical measurements on rods from Rpe65 -/- mice indicate that they make approximately 40% less pigment than Rpe65 +/+ 48 hours after treatment.
  • the number of iso-rhodopsin molecules in rods from Rpe65 -/- mice gavaged with 2.5 mg of 9- cis -retinal would be about 1.2 ⁇ 10 7 .
  • the highly desensitized rod responses recorded from untreated Rpe65 -/- mice did not show the acceleration in response kinetics seen in rods from treated mice.
  • One possibility is that the activity of free opsin is less in rods from untreated Rpe65 -/- mice than in those from treated mice, perhaps because of phosphorylation of the opsin in untreated rods. This explanation would require that treatment with a low dose of 9- cis -retinal converts most or all of the remaining free opsin to a state of higher activity, perhaps through dephosphorylation.
  • Another possibility is that the activation and deactivation of the photopigment are altered in the untreated mice. For example, it is not clear that the photopigment created by photoconversion is identical to normal rhodopsin; for example, the opsin may still be phosphorylated.
  • Retinals can be delivered to the eye effectively by one (or a combination) of two methods: gavage and intravenous injection.
  • gavage restores visual pigment in 1-2 days and also produces accumulation of 9- cis -retinyl esters in the liver and RPE microsomes. It is a highly reproducible procedure. There is a transient elevation of retinoids in the blood for 48 hours that is followed by recovery to the normal level. The only noticeable drawback is that much of the retinoid is secreted rather than stored, requiring a higher dose than other delivery methods.
  • Intravenous injection is also an effective method for retinoid delivery to the eye, but it has the disadvantage of the retinoids being rapidly eliminated from the bloodstream by the kidneys. This can be prevented to some degree by "caging" retinal in a cyclodextrin net. For full regeneration, multiple or large doses must be injected, causing potential problems with local infection. To lower the amounts of circulating all- trans -retinoids, it would be helpful to inhibit liver carboxylesterase to prevent all- trans -retinal from being released to the bloodstream. Such inhibitors, if they are potent, are highly toxic, because they inhibit other processes that require hydrolase activity. General and mild inhibitors, such as vitamins K 1 and E, are effective to some degree, but more specific inhibitors are needed to enhance the level of cis -retinoids in the bloodstream. Finally, intraocular injection is an option in same cases.
  • the mammalian retina contains approximately 10 8 photoreceptors.
  • the retina sends a signal that opsin is not regenerated, and this causes retinol capture from the blood circulation and retention as retinyl ester in RPE.
  • retinyl esters cannot be converted to 11- cis -retinal, and the "opsin signal" is on, these two factors ultimately lead to ester accumulation.
  • the mechanism of such communication is unknown on a molecular level.
  • this study provides evidence that administration of 9- cis -retinal restores rod photopigment and rod retinal function for more than 6 months and that early intervention significantly attenuates the ester accumulation.
  • Opsin in Rpe65 -/- mice is constitutively phosphorylated in rods of Rpe65 -/- mice, and this modification of the visual pigment could be involved in the pathophysiology of LCA; notably, after 9- cis -retinal-treatment, opsin is dephosphorylated.
  • Phototransduction is initiated by the photoisomerization of rhodopsin (Rh) chromophore 11- cis -retinylidene to all- trarns -retinylidene.
  • Rh rhodopsin
  • rhodopsin chromophore 11- cis -retinylidene to all- trarns -retinylidene.
  • the activation mechanism of this G-protein-coupled receptor was investigated.
  • 11- cis -7-ring-rhodopsin does not activate G-protein in vivo and in vitro, and it does not isomerize along other double bonds, suggesting that it fits tightly into the binding site of opsin.
  • Meta II undergoes reprotonation, and the photolyzed chromophore is hydrolyzed and released from opsin.
  • the precise mechanism of rhodopsin activation by the photoisomerized chromophore is unknown.
  • the light-triggered events in photoreceptors are intimately intertwined with the regeneration reactions that involve a two-cell system, photoreceptor cells and the retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). Every photoisomerization caused by absorption of a photon is counterbalanced by regeneration of rhodopsin with newly synthesized 11- cis -retinal.
  • the photoisomerized product all- trans -retinal released from Rh* is reduced to all- trans -retinol in photoreceptors and then converted back to 11- cis -retinal in the RPE in an enzymatic process referred to as the visual cycle or the retinoid cycle ( McBee et al., Prog. Retin. Eye Res. 20:469-529 (2001 ).
  • Several components of the retinoid cycle have been identified, although major enzymatic and chemical transformations still remain poorly understood.
  • RPE65 a highly expressed membrane-associated RPE protein with a molecular mass of 65 kDa. This protein appears to form a complex with 11- cis -retinol dehydrogenase (11- cis -RDH).
  • 11- cis -RDH 11- cis -retinol dehydrogenase
  • RPE microsomes washed with high salt that removed greater than 95% RPE65 still retained most of the isomerization activity.
  • Rpe65 -/- mice had an overaccumulation of all- trans -retinyl esters in the RPE in the form of lipid-like droplets.
  • Electroretinogram (ERG) measurements of Rpe65 -/- mice revealed that the rod and cone functions were severely attenuated. Small amounts of 11- cis -retinal are produced by photochemical reaction in situ in photoreceptor cells, and it was demonstrated that early intervention with cis -retinoids greatly attenuates retinyl ester accumulation ( see Example 1).
  • This animal model is very useful for studying in vivo properties of rhodopsin regenerated with synthetic retinal analogs that undergo photoactivation processes differently from 11- cis -retinal without interference from wild-type rhodopsin.
  • 11-cis-7-Ring-retinals 11- cis -7-ring-retinals were synthesized according to published procedures ( Akita et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 102:6372-6376 (1980 ); Fujimoto et al., Chirality 14:340-46 (2002 ); Caldwell et al., J. Org. Chem. 58:3533-37 (1993 )). ( See Figure 4A for the identification of isomers 1-4, also referred to as compounds 1-4.)
  • Regenerated rhodopsin (2 mg/ml) was mixed in 100 ⁇ l of 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, containing 5 mM MgCl 2 , 0.5 mM [ 32 P]ATP (approximately 35,000 to approximately 50,000 cpm/nmol) and purified rhodopsin kinase (approximately 5 ⁇ g of protein), and the assay was carried out as described previously ( Palczewski et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266:1294955 (1991 )). Studies were performed in triplicate.
  • the reaction mixture (100 ⁇ l) contained MES (final concentration, 66 mM, pH 5.5), 1 mM DTT, pro-S -[4- 3 H]NADH (16 ⁇ M) for purified 11- cis -RDH-His6 (0.31 ⁇ g), ( Jang et al., J. Biol. Chem.
  • pro-S -[4- 3 H]NADPH (12 ⁇ M) for prRDH (expressed in Sf9 cells and suspended in 20 mM BTP, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 1 ⁇ M leupeptin at a 1:49 cell pellet/buffer ratio), and 2 ⁇ l of 11- cis -7-ring-retinal isomer (120 ⁇ M) substrate stock added last to initiate the reactions. The reactions were incubated at 33 °C for 10-20 minutes.
  • the reactions were quenched by the addition of 300 ⁇ l of MeOH and 300 ⁇ l of hexane.
  • Retinoids were extracted by vigorous shaking on a vortex for 5 minutes and then centrifuged at 14,000 rpm for 4 minutes to separate hexane and aqueous layers.
  • the hexane extract (100 ⁇ l) was analyzed by a normal phase HPLC (4% ethyl acetate/hexane). The studies were performed in duplicate, and the amount of retinoids was normalized.
  • LRAT Inhibition Assay The assay was performed as described above, but after preincubation with 11- cis -7-ring-retinols for 15 minutes at 37 °C, 2 ⁇ l of 1 mM solution of all- trans -retinol or 11- cis -retinol was added, and reactions were incubated for an additional 10 minutes. For control, the reactions were preincubated with 2 ⁇ l of dimethylformamide without 11- cis -7-ring-retinols.
  • FTIR Spectroscopy Opsin membranes (24 ⁇ M) ( Sachs et al., J. Biol. Chem. 275:6189-94 (2000 )) were incubated overnight with 240 ⁇ M 11- cis -retinal or with the mixture of either 11- cis -6-ring- or 11- cis -7-ring-retinal isomers in the BTP buffer (20 mM BTP, pH 7.5, containing 1 mM MgCl 2 and 130 mM NaCl).
  • Reactions were triggered by flash photolysis of rhodopsin with a green (500 ⁇ 20 nm) flash attenuated by appropriate neutral density filters.
  • the flash intensity was quantified photometrically by the amount of rhodopsin bleached and expressed in terms of the mole fraction of photoexcited rhodopsin (Rh*/Rh).
  • mice All animal studies employed procedures approved by the University of Washington Animal Care Committee and conformed to recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia. All animals were maintained in complete darkness, and all manipulations were done under dim red light employing a Kodak No. 1 Safelight filter (transmittance >560 nm). Typically, 2-3-month-old mice were used in all studies. RPE65 -deficient mice were obtained from M. Redmond (National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) and genotyped as described previously ( Redmond et al., Nat. Genet. 20:344-51 (1998 ; Redmond et al., Methods Enzymol. 316:705-24 (2000 )).
  • ERGs Mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection with 15 ⁇ l/g body weight of 6 mg/ml ketamine and 0.44 mg/ml xylazine diluted with 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, containing 100 mM NaCl. The pupils were dilated with 1% tropicamide. A contact lens electrode was placed on the eye with a drop of methylcellulose, and a ground electrode (a reference electrode) was placed in the ear. ERGs were recorded with the universal testing and electrophysiologic system 3000 (UTAS E-3000) (LKC Technologies, Inc.). The mice were placed in a Ganzfield chamber, and responses to flash stimuli were obtained from both eyes simultaneously.
  • UTAS E-3000 universal testing and electrophysiologic system 3000
  • Flash stimuli had a range of intensities (0.00020 - 41 candela s/m 2 ), and white light flash duration was 10 ms. Two to four recordings were made with >10-second intervals. Typically, 4-8 animals were used for recording of each point in all conditions. All ERG measurements were done within 10-40 minutes after anesthesia.
  • Immunocytochemistry The section preparation and immunolabeling using anti-phosphorylated rhodopsin antibody, A1182P (a generous gift from P. Hargrave), were carried out as described previously ( Van Hooser et al., J. Biol. Chem. 277:19173-82 (2002 )).
  • 11-cis-7-Lock-Rhodpsin Susceptibility of 11-cis-7-Lock-Rhodpsin to Isomerization, Reduction, and Esterification: 11- cis -7-Ring-retinals are more stable to thermal isomerization compared with 6-ring isomers. Bleaching these 7-ring-retinoids in solution produces a mixture of isomers with the least abundant isomer being 9,11,13- tricis -retinal 1 ( Figure 4A ). Rhodopsin regenerated with these isomers was purified using concanavalin A column chromatography ( Figure 4B ).
  • FTIR FTIR reveals that the chromophore is changing its geometry upon bleaching, but the movements of the chromophore do not cause significant changes in hydrogen bonding or in protonation states of carboxylic acids of rhodopsin. Consistent with the spectral data, light-scattering changes as a monitor of Gt activation yielded exceedingly low but measurable pH-independent activity.
  • Rhodopsin In Vivo Regeneration of Rhodopsin with 6- and 7-Ring Isomers: To produce rhodopsin regenerated with retinoid analogs for in vivo studies, Rpe65 mice were generated by Redmond et al. (24). These mice are unable to produce substantial amounts of 11- cis- retinal ( Van Hooser et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:8623-28 (2000 )). Rhodopsin in Rpe65 +/+ mice has a chromophore that is light-sensitive.
  • 11-cis-6-Ring-Rh is Active In Vivo and In Vitro: Surprisingly, rhodopsin regenerated in vivo with 6-ring-containing retinal is active at higher bleaches. The a- and b-waves are clearly elevated compared with the Me 2 SO control. This result is consistent with the minor activity of rhodopsin as previously measured ( Bhattacharaya et al., J. Boil. Chem. 267:6763-69 (1992 ); Ridge et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267:6770-75 (1992 ); Jang. et al., 276:26148-53 (2001)).
  • the relative activity of rhodopsin and the pigments with locked analogs is as follows. With membranes containing rhodopsin regenerated with 6-locked analogs, a 1350-fold intensity of the activating light flash is needed to evoke Gt activation rates comparable to wild-type rhodopsin. Consistent with the pH dependence observed in the FTIR spectra, the activity is enhanced at acidic pH. This is in contrast to the well known pH/rate profile of native rhodopsin (higher activity at pH 7.4 as compared with pH 6.4).
  • the FTIR spectra indicate different protein-chromophore interactions of the ground state of 11- cis -6-ring-rhodopsin compared with the bleached sample.
  • pH 7.5 the change in chromophore-protein interaction, indicated by a band at 1206 cm -1 , did not lead to significant changes in the protein, and only residual activity could be detected (14).
  • pH 4.5 the same movements led to reorientation of hydrogen bonds and changes in secondary structure, forming a Meta II-like product that is able to bind Gt-(340-350)-derived peptide. This finding suggests that pH induces structural changes in opsin that render possible the interaction of the chromophore with the protein environment in the binding site.
  • the pK a for this change is 5.4 and the Meta II-like structure decays with a half-width time comparable to Meta II regenerated with 11- cis -retinal.
  • a band at 1713 cm -1 in the Rho/Meta II difference spectrum assigned to the protonation of Glu113 appears to be shifted to 1708 cm -1 in the Meta II-like product regenerated with 11- cis -6-ring isomer at pH 4.5.
  • this band is not shifted significantly when the sample is treated with D 2 O, but the bond shape has slightly changed.
  • this band is still observed in the Meta II-like photoproduct of the E113Q mutant of rhodopsin regenerated with 11- cis -6-ring isomer.
  • Rhodopsin Activation New Lessons Learned from the Studies of Retinoid Analogs: This study revealed new important information on the activation process. Three sharply distinct classes of the chromophore-protein interaction were found for 11- cis -7-ring- and 11- cis -6-ring-containing retinals and 11- cis - retinal. 1) Rhodopsin regenerated with 11- cis -7-ring isomer has only 0.1% of wild-type activity; it is also inactive in both sensitive ERG and FTIR studies. This low activity could be a result of the presence of a small amount of free opsin and consistent with the estimated activation ratio of free opsin:Rh*, i.
  • This activity can be clearly detected in vivo and in the light-scattering assays, advancing previous measurements using nucleotide uptake and phosphorylation assays.
  • This active state resembles Meta II in its sensitivity to hydroxylamine, in features of the FTIR spectrum, and in its interaction with Gt peptide.
  • the bleaching of 11- cis -6-ring-Rh leads to a Gt activation that is pH-dependent
  • Meta II has a broad high activity over a wide range of pH values. This result suggests that isomerization along C9-C10 and C13-C14 causes sufficient relaxation of rhodopsin around the chromophore to allow activation as was observed for chromophore-free opsin.
  • the apparent pK a of the light-induced active species of 11- cis -6-ring-Rh is 5.4, only one pH unit lower and thus approximately 1.5 kcal off the pK a of a free Glu residue, whereas the protonated species of Meta II has pKa of 6.7. Energy is required to protonate a residue at a pH higher than its native pKa of the observed active species in native and 11- cis -6-ring-retinal-regenerated rhodopsin.
  • LCA is characterized by congenital blindness or by poor central vision, slight fundus changes, nearly absent electroretinogram signal, nystagmus, reduced papillary reactions, occasional photophobia ( Schappert-Kimmijser et al., Opthalmologica 137:420-22 (1949 )), eventual pigmentary degeneration of the retina, the absence ofrod photoreceptors, remnants of cones, clumping of pigment in RPE, and an absence of chorioretinal adhesions ( Leber, Arch. Ophthalmol. (Paris) 15:1-25 (1869 ); Kroll et al., Arch. Ophthalmol. 71:683-690 (1964 )).
  • LCA The genetic abnormalities of LCA involve genes from different physiological pathways ( Cremers et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 11:1169-76 (2002 )), and RPE65 gene mutations account for approximately 12% of all LCA cases ( Thompson et al., Invest. Ophthal. Vis. Sci. 41:4293-99 (2000 )).
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